The history of humankind upon earth has been shaped by great discoveries – of fire, of the wheel, of metalworking, of energy sources such as steam and petroleum, of the laws of the universe, and in mathematics, physics, and medicine. The inventions these discoveries led to are a part of our daily lives. Yet we take them for granted, and seldom stop to think of the people and stories that lie behind them.

So here are some stories for you to read…